Prediction: Manatee (Fla.) reaches Class 5A state semis

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in just a few short weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way back over to the Sunshine State and check out last year’s Class 5A state semifinalist Manatee Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have won six state championships and have been search of No. 7 under head coach Jacquez Green. Manatee starts off the season against national powerhouse St. John Bosco of California, which could set the tone for a successful 2025 campaign. Can the Hurricanes return to greatness and bring home a state crown to Bradenton?

Player Spotlight: QB Logan Rogers

Rogers played his junior season at Hillsborough before transferring over to Manatee during the off-season. Last season with the Terriers, Rogers completed 32-of-86 passes for 401 yards and three touchdowns. Playing for one of the top offensive minds in Green, who is in the University of Florida’s Hall of Fame, should help Rogers as he looks to navigate a season that’s full of tough opponents all along the way. The senior passer has offers from App State, Buffalo, Florida, UMass and UNLV.

Others to watch: RB Keith Smith, LB Ronin Dangler, WR J’Kwan Williams, RB Caedon White

Season Prediction: 8-2

Now this season will test the mettle of a Manatee program that returns some experience from 2024’s state semifinalist team, but also is very green when it comes to the youth movement. The Hurricanes are breaking in a first-year starter within their program in Rogers, who is very similar to last year’s starting quarterback, Andrew Heidel. Starting the season against St. John Bosco is not for the faint at heart as the Braves will challenge Manatee in every which way possible. The only other game we see the Hurricanes dropping is against South Georgia power Lowndes. Despite three regular season losses, the road back to the state semifinals is there and we seeing them getting back there for the second season in a row.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 22 – St. John Bosco (Calif.) Braves – L
Up against one of the top football programs in the land, the Hurricanes get upended by the Braves to start 2025.

Aug. 29 – Southeast (Fla.) Seminoles – W
This will be no easy win whatsoever coming off facing St. John Bosco, but Manatee pulls off win No. 1 over Southeast.

Sep. 5 – at Lowndes (Ga.) Vikings – L
Making the trip to Valdosta for the second year in a row brings up the same result from last season.

Sept. 12 – F.W. Buchholz (Fla.) Bobcats – W
Returning back home to Hawkins Stadium and behind a strong home crowd, the Hurricanes pickup victory No. 2.

Sept. 19 – IMG Academy Junior National (Fla.) Ascenders – W
The Hurricanes play a back-and-forth contest against the Ascenders, but find a way to pull off consecutive wins for the first time this season.

Sept. 26 – at Pinellas Park (Fla.) Patriots – W
Always a feisty group, the Patriots keep things close all throughout the first half. Manatee comes together notches a third straight victory.

Oct. 3 – at Columbia (Fla.) Tigers – W
On the road in Lake City, the Hurricanes pickup an impressive road decision against an improving Tigers’ club.

Oct. 17 – at Palmetto (Fla.) Tigers – W
Now this is a rivalry game in Manatee County that will surely bring out a packed stadium. The Hurricanes narrowly edge out the Tigers in a chippy contest.

Oct. 24 – Braden River (Fla.) Pirates – W
Ahead of the regular season finale, the Hurricanes make a statement in a blowout victory over the Pirates.

Oct. 31 – Sarasota Riverview (Fla.) Rams – W
Manatee closes out the season on a seven-game winning streak heading into the Class 5A playoffs.